Town Talk


set for summer SNODLAND Town Football Club's annual tournament will be over the weekend of June 16 and 17 at Potyns Sportsground. More than 130 teams took part


last year. This year it will be open to age groups fromU6 to U15 and it is hoped there will be a girls sec- tion. Anybody interested in enter- ing a team should contact club chairman Dave Jeal by emailing him at dave@matrix4g.co.uk. Changes are planned for the


youth presentation night which will be on June 2. “It will be more of an afternoon


event going into early evening, and is more geared towards the kids,” explained Dave. “The plan is to continue with the sponsored penalty shoot-out, which has been very popular over the years, and will be followed by themedal presentations using the club’s stand as a stage. The whole event will be within the club ground. “This is very much in the early


stages of planning and more de- tails will follow.” In previous years, the shoot-out


has been held during the day and the presentations have been in the evening in the community centre.


THERE was little goodwill on Christmas Eve after thieves broke into Snodland Town Football Club's ground and caused exten- sive damage to fencing and build- ings. That was the same night the


club's sponsored Father Christ- mas and elves were delivering presents to children. The thieves also broke into the


adjoining Townsend Hook Bowls Club and the Town Council’s yard causing damage while trying to steal machinery and equipment. Police have CCTV images and


it is hoped arrests can be made. Club chairman Dave Jeal said:


"This was all the more upsetting as we were preparing our annual Santa Claus delivery to homes throughout Snodland. “This is a real community serv-


ice and the kids really look for- ward to receiving their presents from Santa on his sleigh as he tours the town. “All the goodwill of our helpers,


who work so hard for this event, was really overshadowed by the break-in, which will cost us hun- dreds of pounds.” It was the 25th year Ray Cocks, of Ashbee Close, Snodland, was


Snodland Town Football Club chairman Dave Jeals presents a trophy to Ray Cocks, who has played Santa on Christmas Eve for 25 years


Father Christmas and he was pre- sented with a glass trophy by Dave. “For anybody to give up their


Christmas Eve for 25 years in a row is a fantastic achievement," he said. “We start around 2pm and fin-


ish just after 9pm, so it’s a long day but when you see how much the children enjoy receiving their presents and the lights on the


Visitors in for a treat at school’s open evening


THE Holmesdale School opened its doors to hold a com- munity Pamper Evening. After a warm welcome and a


glass of bubbly visitors, were able to see the wide range of treatments on offer. Some opted for a manicure or back mas- sage, while others tried Indian head massage or reflexology. Stalls sold jewellery, make-up


and essential oils as well as physic and tarot card readings. School businessmanager Sue


Birchall, said: “Many thanks to our helpers and all stall holders who supported the event. We hope to be running a similar event in the future.”


sleigh it makes the hard work more than worthwhile." A Kent Police spokesman said


that between 5.30pm on Decem- ber 23 and 9amon December 24, fencing and a door were dam- aged, and a quantity of sweets was stolen. Anyone with information that


may help is asked to contact Kent Police by calling 01622 604100 quoting reference YY/38690/17.


Clarification of any confusion


WE would like to clarify the con- tent of two stories published in December's Town Talk. On page 23, we referred to the


3G pitch being given “approval” by the Town Council's Amenities and Recreation Committee. Although it has voted in favour


of this, it does not mean the pro- posal has been approved, rather than recommended it to be dis- cussed by the full council. With regard to a story on page


27 about the fireworks display, the funds collected at the event were not to fund the fireworks but to go towards the Christmas lights. We apologise for any confusion


caused. Building work under way on conversion of pub to Co-op store


WORK has started converting The Bull public house at the corner of the High Street and Holborough Road, Snodland, into a Co-oper- ative store. The company took out a 20-


year lease on the building in Sep- tember 2014. The original plan was to close its store at 46 High Street, which includes the post of- fice, leaving the branch on the op- posite side of the road, 11 High Street, open. Town Talk reported last April


that a meeting was held with Snodland Town Council and new plans revealed the closure of both stores. The application was for “a


change of use of the existing building from use class A4 to use class A1 and extension to build- ing; external alterations including installation of an ATM; new plant and servicing enclosure; removal of existing trees and associated works”. In the first planning application


to Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council the Co-op stated that lor- ries would be unloading at the back of the building but in the second application theywould un- load in front, in Holborough Road. While welcoming the conver-


sion, the town council strongly op- posed the unloading at the front, mainly because of buses using the High Street and Holborough Road. Permission was given by the borough council. The Co-op has now applied for


permission for the installation of external coldrooms at the rear of The Bull. A representative was due to attend the town council meeting on January 31 but, ac- cording to chief executive Karen Sowten: “He had to cancel at the last minute. We are waiting to hear from them regarding a fur- ther meeting.” At the time of going to press the


Co-op had not responded to Town Talk’s request for informa- tion.


Local news for Snodland and Halling Annual contestMean spirit of thieves


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